Are you wondering about the best type of stroller for travel with kids but only finding articles with long lists and affiliate links?
No worries. That was our problem, too.
Which didn’t help when the conversation came up in our home: which type of stroller should we take on a world trip? Light and compact or bigger and more sturdy.
By the end of this post, we’ll try to settle a debate about what’s lived in this house for many months: which is the best type of stroller for travel with kids:
- a jogging stroller or
- a regular stroller?
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Types of Strollers for Travel: Isn’t There Just One?
We should clarify that there were only two types of strollers that we considered for traveling with kids (according to us!):
1. A Regular Travel Stroller
A travel stroller is a lightweight and compact stroller, like the Summer 3D Lite travel stroller (one that we brought on so many trips).
It can also be referred to as:
- an umbrella stroller or
- a compact travel stroller.
A travel stroller is easy to travel with and can be folded easily. They often offer more basic options, and their price point is usually lower.
2. A Travel Jogging Stroller
A jogging stroller is a bulkier and sturdier stroller. It usually comes with three big wheels and a suspension system. Jogging strollers are perfect for running and walking on uneven terrain. It can
There are a surprising amount of stroller types on the market, though. If you want more information on travel strollers and double strollers, you can read these specific articles:
And if you want to know about other types than the ones listed above, you should check out this guide from What to Expect. They went into the subject in phenomenal detail.
But, again, for us, it came down to the two types listed above (Travel/Regular Stroller VS Jogging Stroller).
➡️ The argument ended with my wife voting for the lightweight and compact one and myself voting for the bulkier baby pusher.
Best Type of Strollers for Travel: Jogging Stroller VS Regular Strollers
We’ll still give you our surefire formula for picking the correct type of stroller for your next adventure.
Lightweight and Compact Baby Stroller
The arguments for and against a lightweight and compact baby stroller are straightforward. In her usual way, Emilie laid out some arguments that were hard to ignore.
Here are the advantages of going with a lightweight, compact stroller.
The Benefits of a Regular Stroller
- They’re easier to maneuver
- They take up less space in streets, stores, and buses
- They’re simpler for booking flights (and you can usually checked them)
- They’re (usually) more affordable
- They come as a two or 1-seater, so you can use them to carry bags or other travel gear when one kid walks (I think this was a stretch, but I’ll allow it for argument’s sake)
The Disadvantages of a Regular Stroller
- They’re only easier to maneuver over well-paved streets
- The space you save isn’t worth the other benefits of jogging strollers
- Most significant airlines accommodate jogging strollers
- They’re more affordable because they break more easily
- Not all compact travel strollers come with a reclining seat and good storage baskets
This is where I transitioned the argument into why a heavier, bulkier jogging stroller would be the clear winner.
The Best Lightweight Stroller for Travel
There are SO many options on the market for lightweight strollers for travel that it’s hard to say which one is the best. But here are our top 3:
- UPPAbaby Minu: This stroller has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
- Summer 3Dlite Convenience Stroller: This stroller has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon. It’s the one we had for most of our travels.
- Mountain Buggy Nano: This stroller has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Lightweight, Compact Regular Strollers: Our Verdict
These were much easier to travel with. It was undeniable. We could fold that thing in 5 seconds flat and have it underneath our kids’ feet in no time.
We’d used it at an airport back in 2019, too, and it was just as convenient. The problem?
It wasn’t built for rougher paths and frequently got stuck in parks or on poorly-paved streets. Plus, after three months of heavy use, it was starting to fall apart. Again, it’s likely because we use it every day and on different types of terrain.
We think this is better for trips where you’ll stay in a city. When we lived in Paris with our firstborn, we had a lighter stroller, which was terrific. Getting on and off buses or trains was simplified, just one less thing to consider while traveling.
Bulkier, More Stable Travel Jogging Stroller
Now, the question is, “Are jogging strollers worth it?” Let’s see the benefits and disadvantages.
The Benefits of a Jogging Stroller
- Better suited for cobblestone streets and uneven terrain, with swiveling front wheel
- Kids sit side-by-side in double jogging strollers so they can play together or share snacks (but they can also fight a lot more 😉 )
- We can use it to be more active, like when we did the half-marathon in Kelowna since it’s made for jogging or running.
- Some jogging strollers attach to bikes, so we can bike as a family and skip the bus.
- Most jogging strollers have a windscreen, a sunshade, and more storage space.
- You can store WAY more bags in these strollers than you can in a lighter stroller.
- They tend to be better quality and last longer
- You can find them pretty cheap if you purchase them used
The Disadvantages of a Jogging Stroller
- They are bulky and heavy.
- Airlines can’t always accommodate them for gate checking, so they need to be checked into an airplane, so you might not be able to pass security with the stroller.
- They take up a lot of space in the car if road-tripping.
- They can be hard to set up.
The Best Jogging Stroller for Travel
There are SO many options on the market for lightweight strollers for travel that it’s hard to say which one is the best. But here are our top 3:
- Thule Glide 2 Performance: This stroller has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
- GRACO FastAction: This stroller has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
- Joovy Zoom 360 Ultralight: This stroller has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Now you might wonder, “Ok, so where did you land on this? Jogging stroller or regular travel stroller?”
Bulkier Jogging Stroller: Our Verdict
Getting it to fit in the car with any other kind of gear was annoying. Most of our cross-country trip was spent with that thing on the car’s roof. And if we went to a place that was less than stellar, that meant taking it off the roof and having it take up most of the room.
On the other hand, it made us so much more active as a family. This summer, we did many hikes, walks, runs, and biking. We could go to a lake or a park close enough to avoid the bus, but too long for an afternoon walk.
On these occasions, we could use it to jog there or bike (though on most travels, biking will be less of an option).
It also took a lot of force to fold up, which was tough for both of us, especially as the weather got colder and we needed gloves.
Should You Travel With a Stroller?
Depending on your kids’ age (and the type of travel you plan), you should travel with a stroller.
Our kids have been refusing to stay in a stroller for a while now (same for hiking carriers), but we rented a stroller when we went to Disneyland… just in case. And it turned out to be an excellent investment.
You should bring a stroller when you travel if:
- Your kids don’t like to walk a lot
- You’re flying overnight or having a long flying journey with the kids
- Your trip includes lots of city exploring and wandering around
- You’re traveling with a baby or a toddler
Then, to decide the type of travel stroller to bring, there are a lot of factors to consider, like:
- How many kids do you have?
- Where do you plan on traveling?
- How will you travel locally once you reach the destination?
- How long will your trip last?
And about a million other things that could affect the decision you make.
But, overall, I will lay out the case that my wife and I each make. Then, in the end, I’ll reveal where we’re slightly leaning (in other words, who’s showing the first signs of caving).
That said, we’ve started to conclude…
Our Verdict: Best Type of Stroller for Travel
Which type of stroller is best for travel, a jogging or a regular stroller? Here’s where we landed (since we used both types of stroller for 18 months on the road across Canada and USA).
➡️ A lightweight travel stroller is best if you are planning a city trip and moving around a lot. Our top pick for a lightweight travel stroller is the Summer 3DLite.
➡️ A jogging stroller is best if you plan an active trip to hike, do some biking, or use the stroller in uneven terrain. Our top pick for a lightweight jogging stroller is the Thule Glide 2 Performance.
Our lover’s quarrel may not be solved, but that’s the direction we’re going in. That said, we’re open to other opinions. Feel free to let us know YOUR thoughts in the comments section, and we’ll update the post with suggestions as needed.
